FIFA insists Trump has no power over 2026 World Cup fixtures
FIFA has dismissed President Donald Trump’s claim that games at the 2026 World Cup could be moved from US cities he considers unsafe.
Victor Montagliani, FIFA vice-president and president of CONCACAF, said in London that only football’s governing body decides host venues. “It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” he told The Summit. “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans.”
Trump had warned that fixtures in San Francisco and Seattle could be switched if he felt security was lacking. “If I think it isn’t safe, we’ll move it to a different city,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, will see 78 of 104 games played in 11 American cities, including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey and San Francisco.